WWE Facing Exodus, Stars Exploring Options, Unhappy With Direction: Report

All is not rosy in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with multiple sources claiming that there are a number of pro-wrestlers on the roster currently unhappy with the direction of the company. Jon Moxley’s recent comments about why he left the company is said to have resonated with a number of WWE superstars.

Moxley, who spent eight years with WWE as Dean Ambrose, revealed in a recent sit down with former WWE star Chris Jericho about the issues he had with the company in terms of creative direction. He heavily criticized WWE chairman Vince McMahon and admitted he had to leave the company after being forced in a direction he did not want to go.

Wrestling Votes is reporting that a number of WWE stars are thinking what Moxley said, but are contractually obligated to remain quiet on the subject. And all the blame is being directed toward McMahon, who has the final word when it comes to the creative direction of every wrestler on the roster.

Ambrose walked away from the company when his contract expired in April and made it clear that there was no number that would have made him stay. WWE could see more stars walk away in the coming months and years with many scared about the direction the company is going and the stance the management is taking when wrestlers request an early release.

McMahon has resorted to adding time to the contracts of wrestlers, who have recently requested their release. Luke Harper had time added to his contract for missing three months due to injury after he made public his request for a release. Tag team duo The Revival were also denied their request and reports claim that a similar stance was taken with women’s division superstar Sasha Banks.

Pro-wrestling expert Dave Meltzer believes the happiness level inside WWE is not what is being projected by the company. There are few wrestlers who are willing to stay as they are being offered lucrative deals, but there are many putting their happiness ahead of the paychecks.

“I think what we’ve seen a lot lately is the exposing of the idea that everyone’s happy there [in WWE] which they’re not. That it’s a great happy family and it’s not. They’re more caring than they were in another generation. They’re more talent-friendly than they were in another generation partially because right now they have to be,” Meltzer said, as quoted on Ringside News.

“Then you’ve got a lot of people who grew up with the idea that WWE wasn’t the be all and end all and if they’re not happy — and there are a lot of guys that want to stay there, but you know there’s a lot of guys that wanna leave as well.”

Meltzer also revealed that almost everyone on the WWE roster has inquired about other options available outside WWE. He admits that some of the names, if revealed, will shock the WWE Universe, saying: “There’s way more that you are not aware of. I would go so far as to say that there are very few people and you can count them on one to two hands, that have not at least inquired regarding what’s outside; including names that would shock you.”